'We probably shouldn't have stayed chasing as long as we did' - Star is reborn

Friday: Punchestown

The longer the wait, the sweeter the reward and Darver Star made good on Gavin Cromwell's patience by lighting up Punchestown as Irish racing bid adieu to 2021.

Fourteen months had passed since Darver Star provided the enthusiastic northerners who own him with something to shout about, but the horse who was placed in the 2020 Champion Hurdle proved there's truth to the old saying that form is temporary.

Darver Star's class shone through as he picked off short-priced favourite Cilaos Emery approaching the second-last and, despite jumping that hurdle like a horse who was half expecting to see a fence, he quickly regained the impetus to assert 20 lengths clear on the run-in.

Cromwell's decision to turn Darver Star out just four days after pulling up early in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown was vindicated and, speaking in the Punchestown winner's enclosure, the trainer revealed he was prepared to give up on chasing for the time being at least with the seven-time winner.

He said: "We probably shouldn’t have stayed chasing as long as we did with him. He just grew in confidence as the race developed there and, the further he went, the better his jumping got.

“The Galmoy Hurdle or maybe even the Boyne Hurdle could be an option now, and we’ll probably keep him to hurdles. I’m delighted for the boys who own him as it’s been a frustrating time with him.

"He ran in the Paddy Power only a few days ago, but his race was over before it even started as he got hampered early. Thankfully, Keith [Donoghue] had the sense to pull him up early as he knew he was in here.

"He’d been working very well in the blinkers at home prior to the Paddy Power and we left them on him here.”

Elliott signs off tumultuous year with a double

There was a lot Gordon Elliott would like to forget that happened in 2021, but one thing he will hope to carry over into the new year is the form of his stable as the trainer’s red-hot run continued until close of play with a double.

The Davy Russell-ridden Pied Piper surprised Elliott in winning the juvenile maiden hurdle in a fashion that suggested he could join Fil Dor, also owned by Caldwell Construction Limited, by charting a path towards the Triumph Hurdle.

Elliott said: “He is a nice horse and I think there is an awful amount of improvement in him. I couldn't see him winning today and he hadn't even been away from home yet. He jumped well and probably travelled a bit too well early. He loved the ground and is one to look forward to. He's a big baby.”

Harmonya Maker made light work of her rivals under the returning Jamie Codd to secure the Elliott-trained double and bring the curtain down on 2021.

He added: “She’s a nice mare and one for the future. She might be one for Leopardstown or Fairyhouse. We have those options and could be one to run in a Graded hurdle, then put away for next year.”

Results, replays and analysis

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